Harrison looks to score early, score often in semis

Conner JayThe Harrison High boys soccer team listens to instructions during yesterday's practice. The Blue Tide faces Kinnelon in Tuesday night's Group I semifinal in Ridge.

HARRISON -- To keep its quest for a third straight Group I title alive against a high-scoring Kinnelon team in Tuesday night's state tournament semifinals, Harrison likely won't be able to afford the kind of slow start it has had during NJSIAA playoff games so far.

The Blue Tide (21-1) hasn't scored until the 59th, 50th and 78th minutes in its last three contests, while Kinnelon cruised to a 4-1 victory over Wallington in the North 1, Group I sectional finals and has racked up 66 goals in 17 games this season.

In an effort to boost Harrison's offense, coach Michael Rusek, Jr. has conducted scrimmages in practice meant to replicate two game-type situations: the first group trailing 1-0 with 10 minutes left, and a 10-minute game beginning with a scoreless tie.

While simulations of late-game scenarios paid off in the North 2, Group I sectional final against New Providence, as Bryan Aguilar scored with three minutes left to send the game into overtime, Rusek hopes the other drill pays dividends early on in tonight's game (7 p.m. at Ridge High School in Basking Ridge).

"Our strategy is one we haven't done yet -- score early," Rusek said. "We've been preaching it a lot, but it hasn't happened. We seem to be more of a second-half team."

Harrison would also like to spread the ball around better on offense, Rusek said, as Aguilar's team-leading 29 goals dwarfs the nine goals recorded by the Blue Tide's next-highest scorer, Josue Mayanga.

Kinnelon's attack is paced by midfielder Ben Tabor, who has 15 goals and 10 assists this season, and forward Matt Jenne, who has 11 goals and five assists. Colts' defender Kolben Prichard is a scoring threat out of the backfield, with five goals.